The effectiveness of electronic pulsed soft tissue vibration compared with topical anaesthesia in reducing the pain of injection of local anaesthetics in adults: a randomized controlled split-mouth clinical trial
Of interest to me because of the obvious parallel with the scratching I do before inserting needles. In doing this type of intervention you occupy the pain circuits with touch/vibration, an example of the “gating” principle popularized by Melzack and Wall back in the late 80’s. Still alive and well and useful. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0901502720302563 The effectiveness…
Read MoreElectroacupuncture Enhances Number of Mature Oocytes and Fertility Rates for In Vitro Fertilization
Studies showing improved blood flow to the uterus with acupuncture are well known. This study shows improvement in number of mature ooctyes with electroacupuncture versus sham acupuncture. Med Acupunct. 2019 Oct 1; 31(5): 289–297. Published online 2019 Oct 17. doi: 10.1089/acu.2019.1368 PMCID: PMC6795274 PMID: 31624528 Electroacupuncture Enhances Number of Mature Oocytes and Fertility Rates for In Vitro Fertilization Ayu Cintani Kusuma,1 Nadia…
Read MoreEffects of Moxibustion on the Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1: A Pilot Study
I like this study especially because moxibustion can be applied by patients at home and via Insulin-Like Protein Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) can improve insulin uptake and help longevity. Win win. Easy and safe. Effects of Moxibustion on the Levels of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1: A Pilot Study Jaung-Geng Lin 1, Shinn-Zong Lin 2, Lih-Hwa Lin 3 4, Chun-Chang Wu 5, Wan-Ting Tsai 5, Horng-Jyh Harn 6, Li-Hui…
Read MoreElectro-acupuncture-induced neuroprotection is associated with activation of the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway following adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomies in rats
This paper shows that acupuncture triggers IGF-1, a gene linked with longevity. Here it is involved in neuroplasticity following dorsal root ganglionectomies. Difficult to know if we can extrapolate to longevity genes in humans. Int J Mol Med. 2019 Feb; 43(2): 807–820. Published online 2018 Dec 18. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.4035 PMCID: PMC6317683 PMID: 30569108 Electro-acupuncture-induced neuroprotection is…
Read MoreThe Use of Natural Agents to Counteract Telomere Shortening: Effects of a Multi-Component Extract of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Danazol
Increased telomerase can lead to increased telomere length and improved life span. In this study they looked at the effect on telomerase with astragalus, an Ancient Chinese Medicine herbal remedy for longevity and danazol, a testosterone booster. The Astragalus had a more pronounced effect on telomerase than the danazol. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7168059/ Biomedicines. 2020 Feb; 8(2): 31….
Read MorePractical applications of chaos theory to the modulation of human ageing: nature prefers chaos to regularity
We discussed the concept of complexity with aging here. This article reinforces that principle. The full article is behind a paywall and since it’s an older article, I will skip the purchase and just cite the article. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1023306419861 Published: March 2003 Practical applications of chaos theory to the modulation of human ageing: nature prefers chaos…
Read MoreAnti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic
I take Astragalus every day and so do many of my patients. This article is a good rundown of the health benefits. Anti-Aging Implications of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi): A Well-Known Chinese Tonic Ping Liu,1 Haiping Zhao,1,# and Yumin Luo1,2,3,* Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer This article has been cited by other…
Read MoreWear the Humble Mask. It Is Your Servant to Protect and Defend
There will be no improvement in jobs and economic activity until we beat this thing. Until infection rates in whatever population decreases to manageable levels, we will be stuck with no “normal” life. From California we cannot visit New York without quarantining anymore. Though deaths are staying flat, hospitalizations are increasing. In the Bay Area…
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Read MoreEffect of Yoga Therapy on Disease Activity, Inflammatory Markers, and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
This article looks at two aspects of treatment and health that I’m deeply interested in. One is the autonomic nervous system and HRV specifically. The other is the immune system and inflammatory markers. Acupuncture, also, affects inflammatory markers and HRV, as attentive readers of this blog know! Yoga for inflammation and HRV 6.15.2020 The Journal…
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